Oakland Hospital Worker Injury Attorney
Workers' Comp for Hospital Worker Injury & Illness
Doctors, nurses, healthcare specialists, and any other hospital staff member can be subjected to a workplace hazard not seen in many other professions: pervading and dangerous illnesses. Hospital management must be careful to supply all hospital workers with appropriate training and precautionary tools to avoid infection and the spreading of disease. Otherwise, any worker in the hospital – from a surgeon to a clerk to a janitor – is put in unfair risk and may fall ill.
If you work at a hospital and were injured or stricken ill, you should consider filing for workers’ compensation to make up for any time you needed to take off work to recover. Our Oakland hospital workers injury lawyers at Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers are here to make this process easy for you by providing trusted legal counsel and guidance. If you did file a claim but got denied, we are also primed to fight for your rights through an appeal.
Talk to our team today by calling (888) 740-6434 and asking for a free consultation.
Proving Your Illness Came from Your Workplace
Workers’ compensation claims filed due to a workplace injury may sometimes be straightforward when it comes to proving that the injury happened at work, as eyewitnesses or security footage can witness the event clearly. Workplace illnesses that afflict hospital staff members are a different story altogether. Pinpointing where the illness originated can be difficult, especially if an ill worker does not get diagnosed right away.
To help prove that your illness originated from the hospital you work in, consider using:
- Hospital patient records that show illness outbreak
- Your itinerary that shows you worked with or around sick patients
- Your health records to show you did not have this illness before
- Any evidence that indicates a lack of safety standards at the hospital
With the eyes of our Oakland workers’ compensation attorneys on your case, we can put our minds together to try to determine what evidence is useful for your claim in case it is denied or delayed. Our goal is contesting the denial readily and achieving a fast victory so you spend as little time as possible not knowing if you will be compensated for your losses or not.
Common Injuries Healthcare Workers Face in the Workplace
In addition to unusual or persistent illnesses, a hospital worker may be harmed through other means. Strict safety regulations must be maintained at the hospital to protect people from accidents. This is quite important considering that neglect could feasibly also harm a patient at the hospital.
Depending on their role at a medical clinic, a hospital worker could commonly be injured by:
- Fractures: The nature of work in any healthcare setting involves lifting and moving patients and equipment, which sometimes can lead to back injuries and sustained trauma. Healthcare professionals suffer from fractures such as sprains and dislocations, often from lifting and moving patients.
- Infectious Diseases: Healthcare workers often deal with the after-effects of illness or accidents and may be exposed to potentially infectious diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis C, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- Violence: While every business has to deal with the occasional angry customer, healthcare workers are almost always at risk of unwanted contact. Caring for people is a noble profession, and healthcare workers are often the first to receive a patient's ire when a medical error is made. The consequences of this contact can range from verbal abuse to actual physical violence.
- Slip and fall accidents: Slip and fall accidents are among the most common injuries suffered by workers in all employment settings. Healthcare workers often work in locations with slippery surfaces or places with a high risk of being bumped into or tripping on debris.
- Repetitive Stress Injuries: Repetitive stress injuries occur when a worker is required to perform an activity or task that causes an injury to a repetitive motion such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, walking, and standing. Specific medical procedures also create a repetitive motion risk. Healthcare workers may suffer from repetitive motion stress injuries to their wrists, arms, hands, fingers, and shoulders.
- Burns: The nature of some healthcare jobs requires workers to handle sterile materials, operate electrical and mechanical tools, or work with chemicals and hot water. These activities can lead to scalding, electrical shock, or third-degree burns.
- Lacerations from sharp utensils
- Electrocution from frayed wiring
No matter the type of injury and whether or not you are to blame for your accident, you still deserve workers’ compensation to cover your expenses while you recuperate. Liability is not considered a factor in workers’ comp claims unless there is ample evidence to suggest the injured worker was intentionally trying to be hurt.
Workplace Violence In Hospitals
Nurses can no longer stay silent about one terrible aspect of their jobs: workplace violence. A new OSHA report indicates that over 75% of all workplace assaults occur in the health and social services industries. Healthcare workers are 20% more likely than other workers to experience on-the-job violence. As frontline workers responsible for most of the day-to-day care of patients, nurses and in-home healthcare workers bear the brunt of this terrible statistic.
How often does workplace violence against nurses occur?
Over 20% of nurses say they’ve been physically assaulted on the job. Over half report that they’ve been verbally abused. Sexual violence and harassment are included in these statistics. Violence results in over 650,000 workplace injuries a year for nurses and other healthcare workers.
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Who perpetrates violence against nurses and healthcare workers?
The culprits of most violence against healthcare workers are patients or their families and loved ones. The perpetrators of violence against nurses are often in an altered state, affected by head injuries, intoxication, or dementia.
What are some other risks to nurses and healthcare workers?
Healthcare is a physically and emotionally taxing field. Repetitive motion injuries are common, as are slip-and-falls and back issues. Healthcare workers may experience burnout or psychological trauma. Workplace violence isn’t the only issue harming nurses, but it is a major one. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic, over 35% of on-the-job fatalities in the healthcare industry are caused by violence.
What can be done to protect nurses and healthcare workers from workplace violence?
The Join Commission issued a 7-step recommendation for preventing violence against healthcare workers. All healthcare providers should take heed of these recommendations and establish clear reporting systems, thoroughly train staff, and track and analyze incidents of workplace violence so they can make necessary changes. Healthcare providers must also provide support to victims of workplace violence, including counseling and other mental health services.
We Offer Free Consultations & Contingency Fee Agreements
If your workers’ compensation claim was already denied after you got hurt as a hospital worker and an appeal is not possible, you can find some confidence to move your case forward in knowing that we do not expect payment for our services out of your own pocket.
When we take a case in pursuit of a settlement or jury award, it is through contingency fee agreements, which means you only pay our attorney fees if we win your case. Plus, we offer free case evaluations so you can learn if your claim has legal validity without paying upfront for our time. It is all part of putting the clients’ needs first and foremost.
Call our offices today to get started with your case!
We have Helped OVER 8,000 CLIENTS aND WE CAN HELP YOU TOO!
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They didn't give up on me.
“Pacific Workers went to bat for me. Was I an easy person to get along with, no but they didn’t give up on me.”
David W.
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Thank you for being so kind!
“I started my fight against my company's workers comp and after talking to Almarie for the first time I already felt a lot of weight off my shoulders.”
Jazzie D. Daly City, CA
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I'm forever grateful & thankful to all!
“I especially want to thank Mr. Jason Insdorf, who worked in attaining a settlement I never expected.”
L.S. Union City, CA
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They took care of me!
“Bilal worked on my case and he was very professional, friendly, and kind to me. I was so nervous about my deposition and he made me feel very comfortable and less stressed about the whole situation.”
Gabi O. Sacramento, CA
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The most down to earth team I have ever met!
“They have strong communication and I was respected throughout the whole process. They had never given up on me!”
Nekealla C. Tracy, CA
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I got a compensation package that I was very happy with!
“My attorney provided me with a very smooth experience, patiently answered all my questions, and worked hard to represent my best interests.”
Dro L. Redwood City, CA
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I would highly recommend PWC!
“PWC's staff is knowledgeable and informative when it comes to answering your questions and ensuring you're well informed during the process.”
Patrick P.
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Your team was great to work with!
“You took nothing and made it out of something. I felt like I mattered! Everyone was very professional and caring.”
Heather Flores Bakersfield, CA -
“¡Farber hizo que fuera muy fácil y sin estrés para mí! Ellos hicieron todo el trabajo duro y me hicieron sentir tranquila en la situación que estaba atravesando. Nunca habría esperado que el resultado fuera tan bueno. Me mantuvieron al día de todo lo que pasaba en mi caso. Todos los abogados con los que traté eran tranquilizadores y positivos. Recomendaría a Farber a cualquier empleado que necesite ayuda con su compensación de trabajadores.”
Janette D. -
Pacific Workers' Comp is one of the best places to get help from when you need help with an injury from work!
“Iana and Sergio are very helpful, and Pacific Workers' Comp is one of the best places to get help from when you need help with an injury from work they have been helping me out through my trying time and doing a damn good job with dealing with stuff that I can't handle and I really appreciate all their help if you ever need help with an injury at work this is the place to go.”
Lamar B. Santa Clara, CA -
Bilal is very professional, caring and committed to his clients!
“My lawyer Bilal took the time out on a late Friday afternoon to meet with me and answer some questions that I had. Who stays late and meets with you on a Friday afternoon? Very few do, Bilal does. It speaks to his professionalism, caring, and commitment to his clients. Which creates a culture value at PWC. This is only one example of my experience with them, there are many more just like this.”
Guy H. Novato, CA -
PWC has provided me with exceptional care!
“My experience with them has been exceptional. They are caring, devoted and professional. They had turned a stressful situation into one that does not cause anxiety.”
Jaaziel B. -
The attorneys and employees at PWC are angels!
“Thank goodness for my team of lawyers and assistants that always take the time to listen to my concerns, answer my questions, and act on my behalf when my company does nothing!! Someone else said it, and I second that the people at PWC are angels!! At least I feel that someone is on MY side now!”
Heikelyn J. -
I was lucky enough to obtain the services of Pacific Workers' Compensation Law Center!
“I was lucky enough to obtain the services of Pacific Workers' Compensation Law Center. They worked tirelessly to receive the best care, and finally a C&R settlement from SCIF for me. Without them, I would have been just another injured worker without medical treatment.”
Martha M. -
For anyone out there looking for a 'Worker's Comp attorney,' look no further!
“For anyone out there looking for a 'Worker's Comp attorney,' look no further. Robert Davis is the man you want on the case. Robert truly cares for his clients; he will help you through the tough times, with a no-nonsense approach to your situation. Robert is a good man that never leaves any doubt in your mind and always makes you feel like he is the best man for the job.”
Francisco P. Hayward, CA -
Exceptional Customer Service
“I would recommend Pacific Workers' Compensation Law Center to my family and friends. I was so blessed to talk with AlMarie in March 2018 after receiving horrible service from another attorney's office. AlMarie took the time to talk to me and give me the information that I needed. Lauren and Alex are super great, and I feel I made a good decision for the law center to represent me. I received my packet with great information, resources, and how to communicate and contact the team who will be assisting me and working on my case.”
T. Davis Addison San Leandro, CA -
Jason exuded complete confidence in my case & really understood what I went through!
“My attorney Jason Insdorf exuded complete confidence in my case and made me feel like he really understood what I've been through (didn't hurt to read about his extensive credentials and expertise specific to my case). Karla Ortega made me feel at ease, listening intently when I explained details dating back 12+ years. Also, I was very impressed by the compassion, communication, and overall professionalism.”
Matthew U. Modesto, CA -
Pacific Workers' Compensation helped me get the justice I deserved!
“It was my first injury at a job and I did not know what to do. I did not know if my rights as an employee were being met. So, I was able to call to ask Pacific Workers' Compensation about my injury that occurred and what were my rights as an employee. They were able to help me get justice.”
Victoria M. Santa Cruz, CA -
After Pacific Worker's Compensation started handling my case, I started getting the respect of an injured worker and not just a number.
“My caseworker is amazing. She is quick to respond to my messages and concerns. Before contacting Pacific Worker's Compensation, I was getting the run around with my doctors and worker's compensation insurance for my employer. After Pacific Worker's Compensation started handling my case, I started getting the respect of an injured worker and not just a number.”
Brandy L. Fairfield, CA -
Bilal is always kind, professional, compassionate and explains everything thoroughly!
“Bilal Kassem is the nicest attorney a person dealing with a workers compensation mess can ask for. Always kind, professional, compassionate, and explains everything clearly.”
Emi B. Vallejo, CA -
They were a headache & stress rellief!
“Kiki was such a help. She works with Robert Davis. After dealing with the ins Co and there run around, blood pressure tossing, I turned my case one to PWC. No more headaches, no stressing, just relief. Thank you, Kiki and Robert & Pacific Workers Compensation.”
Debra McLaughlin Benicia, CA
Proudly Serving Northern California
Workers' Comp FAQ
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Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
In California, all employees are eligible for workers’ compensation with very few exceptions. If you are classified as an “employee” (rather than an “independent contractor”), you are eligible to receive benefits. This is true regardless of how many employees your employer has, how many hours you work, how much you make, whether you work part-time or full-time, or whether you are a seasonal worker. Additionally, undocumented workers are also eligible for workers’ compensation granted they meet all other eligibility requirements. In contrast, independent contractors and certain other workers, including some volunteers, household workers who are employed by a family member, and others, are not able to file for workers’ compensation benefits.
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Do independent contractors get workers’ compensation in California?
No, most independent contractors are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance that is provided by their employer. The law does not require most employers to offer this sort of employment benefit to independent contractors. To get workers’ comp as an independent contractor, you will usually have to purchase a policy on your own.
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What If My Employer Denies My Workers’ Compensation Claim Because I’m a Seasonal Worker?
Employers in California are legally required to provide workers' compensation coverage to all employees, including seasonal workers. If your claim is denied, it's advisable to consult with a workers' compensation attorney to understand your rights and explore options for appealing the decision.
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Are Independent Contractors Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Independent contractors are generally not eligible for workers' compensation benefits because they are not considered employees under California law. However, some employers may misclassify employees as independent contractors. If you believe you are misclassified, consult with a legal professional to assess your situation.
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Can't I Just File for Workers' Compensation on My Own?
Filing for workers' compensation on your own increases the chances that your claim will be denied. One small misstep can prevent you from obtaining the compensation you need for your injuries. In addition, the process is usually complex and tedious, especially for someone with no workers' compensation law experience. It is extremely advantageous that you seek reliable and experienced legal guidance for your claim.
